We went to "Quad Day" at the University of Illinois last Sunday to see the Marching Illini play and Daddy conduct them! What we met were 10,000 people filling an entire field, walking up and down the walkways as tables and booths lined the sidewalks. The booths advertised everything from Clubs and Organizations on campus to Churches, including Christian Groups like "Young Life." Students could gather information on groups they'd like to be a part of this year. It took me 15 minutes to push the boys from one end of the quad to the other as we tried to squeeze through the massive amounts of students with our stroller! We just came to see Daddy!
When we finally arrived at the end, we got to watch the Marching Illini lined up against a beautiful older building at the top of the quad playing pep songs that you'd hear at the football games if you came! Each of the six graduate assistants conducted one song and then the three undergraduate drum majors ended the "concert" by conducting songs as well. While they conducted, the flags were in the front dancing as well as the cheerleaders making it a fun "show" to watch! Students gathered around to watch as well and get excited for the start of what promises to be a great football season following their Rose Bowl appearance last January with no Seniors leaving Go "Fighting Illini!"
As we watched Daddy conduct, Ryder stood up on the back of the stroller with his snack in a little bag perched on the top of the canopy covering Cole. Cole munched away too (as he lOVES to do!) and when John finished conducting, Ryder proudly clapped along with the other cheering students and yelled "Yeah Daddy!" It was a proud moment for our family. It was probably John biggest audience ever and he conducted the shortest song he's ever directed! It was great though. A fun moment for our family...we wish you all could've been there!
